WOYWW 165

51 TODAY,
51 TODAY.
I'VE GOT THE KEY OF THE DOOR,
NEVER BEEN 51 BEFORE!!
HOW can I be 51? I'm only 32 (in my head...!) Ah well, aging is mandatory, growing up is optional - and boy, am I doing my best to live up to that!!  It is my birthday TODAY - I've been very spoiled :D  This is from Mr LLJ, the Big O and G3.....but what is it???
See, rusty ol' scrap. Aren't I a lucky girl?? Lol... I'll show you a bit more..
Hang on a minute, rusty old garden shears??? Are the boys taking the mick???
Only kidding!! Isn't it fantastic? I LOVE hares, got a real thing about them. This beauty was created from recycled metal tools and bits by Amy Lancaster. Have a peek at her stuff at www.metalmenagerie.co.uk . I love her work, it's so clever how she sees the shape of an animal in old scrappy bits and pieces. Her chickens make me hoot! Or should that be cluck....


Ok, my desk....
I've got an order for two pegbags so I've dug out a few fabrics to choose from. These bags are going to have an across the body strap rather than a clothes hanger, at the request of the buyer. I've had to modify the design as the usual length bag would require gorilla arms to reach the pegs at the bottom of the bag!! It's working quite well - I may well do more in the future. What is my son's Prom tie doing there???? I promise you I haven't read 50 Shades yet *grin*!


Here's what's in those bowls....
A whole load of swivel clips!! Someone I know organises conferences and she had loads of lanyards leftover from holding ID cards - they came my way and jolly useful they will be for handbag charms and the like. They retail for about 60p each so that's saved some cash! These were also on the lanyards...
I have absolutely NO idea what I'm going to do with these but we had fun at LLJ Towers, squeezing the sides and pinging them across the room like tiddlywinks. The cats enjoyed that game, lol!!


Ah well, that's it from me - am off to drink champagne and eat cake. It's a tough job but someone's gotta do it... :D

94 comments:

Morti said...

WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday dear LLJ,
Happy Birthday to you,

Seems this is the year of the hare - he, or should I say she? is fabulous! May you have a fantastic day...

Shoshi said...

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Jan,
Happy birthday to you!!!

Congratulations on reaching the ripe old age of 51 going on 32!!

When I first saw your present I thought it was a rusty Duracel Bunny. 51 isn't really an age when your battery should start to run out!

Love your bowls of goodies. What fun you'll have with them.

Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #7

Anonymous said...

Morti beat me to it, so instead I hope you can hear me sing HB to you rather enthusiastically from this side of the pond! Save me some cake dearie. Love hares too and that rusty contraption is just brilliant, truly recycled art. Have a brilliant day/week/month/year however long you celebrate.

Hugs
Brenda 3

PS. Fitting that you have the top spot this week too!

Bernice said...

Have a great birthday - will have to look up that website now to view the chickens! Make sure and show us the peg bags when you get them finished.
Bernice #2

May said...

Happy Birthday to you... (I can't sing) I'm 55 Jan but only feel 30 most of the time and the other time I act my shoe size (6) tee-hee.. Enjoy the champers.. love the hare its fabulous.. what a great gift.. Have a happy week, Hugs May x x #12

Di said...

Happy Birthday Jan! That hare is absolutely fabulous!!!

Do you want the precise measurements of my 'across the body' peg bag sent by email? I can do that if it helps. Also have some material I bought donkeys years ago to make some but never got round to it and can send you that (snort, by post not email!).

Happy WOYWW, Birthday Girl!

Hugs,

Di #11
xxx

Creative Cardiology said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
HeARTworks said...

A blessed birthday dear LLJ! I'm a bit older than you (56 in November) but I agree about growing up being optional! Have a great celebration and your hare is really exceptional! Patsy from
HeARTworks and
papemelroti

Creative Cardiology said...

A Very Happy Birthday Jan! Love your "scrap" hare.
Michelle #17

Spyder said...

oho I love the hair! I mean hare. Oh to be 51 again...no, actually no...Thinking on it, if I'd gone to Bournemouth instead of Southampton back then, I may have never started crafting or blogging! Have a lovely birthday
Happy WOYWW
(Lyn) was ..ohooo #18

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I'm on deadline still this week, so will not be making the WOYWW rounds, but had to stop by and wish you the happiest of happy birthdays. Love your hare. I have a rusty hare, but it's not made from garden tools. Yours is just too cool. Looks like you are destined for a great birthday with all those "gifts" you've scored.

Judys Lace Creations said...

Happy Birthday.Love that hare!!

Danielle said...

Happy Birthday! I hope you enjoy your day.

That rabbit is awesome. I love the ears. Dani #26

Mary Ann Tate said...

Happy Birthday Jan!!!! Only 51...your a kid still:) I love your hare sculpture...totally brilliant.

Unknown said...

Lots of happy wishes today Jan and I'm with you, I am only in my thirties in my head also!

I love the rusty ol' hare too, that's my kind of stuff for the garden.
Have a fantastic day and woyww.
Cheers from Elaine #22

505whimsygirl said...

LLJ,

Happy Birthday! And you are number one this week too!!! You are living in the fast lane.

I love the recycled hare. When I saw the shears and the way they were positioned I just knew it was going to be some kind of lawn art. Very cool.

And what a great save on the pieces from the lanyards.

Happy WOYWW
Hugs, Kay #31

famfa said...

Very very happy birthday LLJ. You don't look a day over... Hang on, I haven't seen you, oh well, looking good anyway. Loving the look of your rusty stuff but disappointed as can't see the final picture of what it is. I too love love hares. I have been collecting stuff off the beach this week in order to make strange garden sculptures in our garden when we get back. Haven't found any old shears yet though. Have a great birthday, save me a pice of cake x
Famfa 33. How did you get to be first?

VonnyK said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! What a coincidence, I will be forty eleven in twenty days time, see it's much nicer to say it that way not 51 :) That is one very cool rabbit, what a great present. I'm sure you will find plenty to do with all the lanyard bits, great freebie.
Enjoy the rest of your birthday, hope the sun comes out for you.
Have a great week.
Von #35

sandra de said...

Lots of big birthday wishes to you today LLJ. Enjoy, it just gets better and better and the bits that can't keep up usually fall off! I absolutely love the "metal hare" such a wonderful use of metal cast offs. I can't wait to see how the peg bag is going to look. I am a little challenged when it comes to visualising a peg bag with a body strap. Me thinks the buyer has already read 50 shades!!
Sandra @36 (i wish)

Unknown said...

Happy birthday Jan! We are now the same age! I turned 51 in November, and let me tell you...it's not too bad! I LOVE your upcycled bunny, by the way. Adorable. Have a wonderful birthday. Crafty hugs dearest!

okienurse said...

Happy Birthday Jan! Hope you have a great day! I turned 60 on the 25 July and like you wondered what the big deal was cause I sure don't feel that old! Anywhooo...have a great day!
Vickie @#40

scrappymo! said...

Oh my goodness Jan...you are still a spring chicken...58 here and don't feel that old either...well not today anyway.
Love the rusty sculpture...fabulous.
What a score you got from your friend!

Shaz in Oz.CalligraphyCards said...

Happy birfdy to you! happy birfdy to you!
May God bless and keep you all the year through!
How'zat that Lunch Lady Jan? your birfdy indeedy and yes adore that hare myself and can quite see why you are mad about them! Know you will be spilt love the bargain gathering, happy WOYWW Shaz in oz.x #43

YoriとYayie said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!! Loving what Mr. LLJ made for you... super artistic...
- Riya #45

Ginny Maxam said...

Happy Birthday!! I love the hare!
Ginny #46

Sandy said...

Happy Birthday!! Hope you drink lots of bubble and eat lots of cake, then have some for all of us too. Your hare is fantastic how clever is that. Sandy :) #43

Neet said...

Happy Birthday to You
Squashed tomatoes and stew
Lots of Jelly
In your Belly
Happy Birthday to you.

Have a wonderful day and I love that sculpture! Oh WOW!

Love those freebies, what great ideas - could you use the clip thingies for straps so that it is easier to get them on and off. (I've just had a pacemaker fitted and cannot lift my arm for 6 weeks, am sure there are others in the same/similar position, would be good to have a bag or something with a clip on like that)

Have a great and a lovely birthday.
Hugs, neet #27 xxxxx x (5 - 1 = 51)

peggy aplSEEDS said...

a blessed and happy birthday, Jan! i know what you mean about being so much younger in your head! what a wonderful gift you received today! how lovely to get some free stuff! happy WOYWW and congrats for being in the top spot. so fitting for your birthday! thank you for sharing!
hugs,#13
peggy aplSEEDS

Sue from Oregon said...

Hey you spring chicken! Happy Birthday young 'un! I hope you had the best of days!

akilli melek said...

have a great day jan. Spoil yourself rotten and don't think too much about the number. I think we never catch up mentally with the real figure after we hit 21 LOL.
caroline # 51

Tuire Flemming said...

Happy Birthday! I´m 52, and it´s not so bad at all - full steam ahead! :D
The hare is really fantastic!
Hugs
Tuire #54

Darnell said...

Happy Birthday, Jan!! Trust me, I've just gone 63 and still feel 12, er, 32 in my head. Wish I'd known that about old people when I was young, I wouldn't have treated them so tenderly and, hence, boringly. Another lesson wasted on old people. Wait, is this about you? Pipe down. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your Jack Rabbit!! Thanks for sharing the link; amazing! I hope you have a fabby birthday all week long!! Darnell #34

jill said...

Happy birthday , Hope you have a lovely day.
is'nt that hare fantastic, what a lovely present . Jill @ 57

Redanne said...

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday, Happy Birthday to you!!!! Hip, hip and all that...........goog job you could not hear me singing........wow, I just love your hare, that is one fabulous birthday present. Hope you enjoy your day with Julia too! A x #58

Anna Karlsson Widmark said...

As we say in Sweden: Ja må hon leva uti hundrade år! Grattis på födelsedagen! Happy Birthday!! I hope you have a wonderful day of cake, presents and pampering!

Zildara #59

Helen said...

Well done on top spot - only right for the birthday girl! Hope you have a truly fabulous day, perhaps you'll be the spur for some Gold Medals at the Olympics!!! Love the hare too, how ingenius is that?!
Make sure you get spoilt rotten today. Helen, 24

Emily said...

Happy Birthday and good to see you at NO1 on your special day.

How lucky to get all the bits from the lanyards... My mind is already spinning with ideas for what you could do with them

Emily #59

Eliza said...

Happy Birthday to you and you are no 1 today of all days. I do hope your day has been filled with all that you love with more to come.

Funny I have a packet of those clasps on my desk also this week, I used them for my usb drives at work and they are great to have on hand.

Love the fabric and your new design sound interesting, even though I can't picture it in my head.

Eliza 16 again

Elizabeth said...

Happy Birthday Jan, and my you have many equally happy returns :) Love, love, love your hare ... amazing what can be done with the contents of a skip! Ms Lancaster is one very talented lady. Never thought about a body worn peg bag, it certainly would leave you hands-free but save all that bending and retrieving I do ... but there again, it's exercise, and I need as much of that as I can get. Ah well, have a great day celebrating with Mrs D, forget about growing up, eat, drink and be merry - you deserve it :) Elizabeth xxxxx (you get extra this week) #63

Belinda Basson said...

Happy Birthday. Hope Julia spoils you rotten! I love that garden art, have seen similar things here in South Africa.

Annie said...

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to Jan,
Happy birthday to you.
Why shouldn't you suffer at my hand on a day like today? :-) Really hope you have an amazing day and you get all the prezzies you deserve.
Biggest hugs,
Annie x #64

Fiona@Staring at the Sea said...

Happy Birthday Jan! Here's to fabulous 51. Hope you have a great day :o)
I love the hare and will be checking out Amy's site when I have a minute.
Fiona x

The Scrapbook Lady UK said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Have a great day. jenx

Lynn Holland said...

Will be showing the scrappy hare to hubby after, it is fab. I've been telling him for years to use his skills to make this sort of thing. But then he always has been slow on th uptake. It was 10 years before he married me. Oh no that's wrong it was me that was slow on the uptake that time. Haha
Have a wonderful birthday day. Enjoy your cake and champers.
Lynn x x

donnalouiserodgers said...

that is my kind of gift, if it gorws soem moss too - will it will look amazing in 51 years whatever it grows, very special indeed.


handbag charm - that is the term I was looking for when I called my thing a bag dingly dangly

dx 78 (i think)

BJ said...

Happy Birthday JAN, love your rusty hare, would you believe my maiden name was HARES. The lanyard bits look fun too. Have a great day. BJ#76

Kath Stewart said...

happy birthday jan...remember age is just a number...thanks for today's crafty snoop...enjoy your cake and champagne...hugs kath xxx (76)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday!! And I get you totally - I'm still 25 in MY head, but older than you IRL!

Have a Great day

MA (8)

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Jan, you are a feisty Leo like me then? I too, love hares and think your present is wonderful and very unique.

Good recycling, I'm sure you'll find something amazing to make with them :)

Have a lovely day and wow you're No.1 over at Julia's.

Big hugs xxx

kay said...

Happy Birthday Jan,have a fantastic day,love your scrap hare,super pressie,enjoy your champagne and cake
have a super woyww
kay #82

Julia Dunnit said...

Oh squashed tomatoes and stew LLJ - wishing you a happy birthday indeed. Doesn't seem a year ago that we were fooling about with a big pink umbrella! LOL LOL..don't let Jenny catch you if you do read 50 shades...she says it's badly written and mostly about the subjugation of women. She's probably right!

Sylvia/LittleTreasures said...

Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday to you,
Happy birthday dear Jan,
Happy birthday to you. AND #1 at that. Have a wonderful day. I love the Rusty Rabbit..some people are so talented. and a great DH to be so thoughtful.
Have fun with the tough job tonight, those are my kinda jobs. Drinks/Cake and Diet in the AM!!! Enjoy

toni said...

Happy Birthday Jan, What a fabulous present, how on earth do people come up with such fantastic ideas? I must check out that website. Have a truly fabulous day x Toni #87

April said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOOOOOOUUUUUUU! Wow Love the Hare! I like the idea of a peg bag on a long strap, very handy! Love the fabrics you have picked out to use, very summery! x April #89

Carmen said...

Oh you never are 51! I always pegged you and Julia as maybe in your early 40's but you certainly act in your 20's or late teens ;)

Happy happy happy happy birthday to you
Have a happy day today
Everybody here wishes you a happy birthday
Have a happy day todaaaaay :D

And what an absolutely gorgeous present. Thanks for the link, I'm in love with her crow but I see she has no prices up - that usually means look but don't touch in our household *g*

Hope you have an amazing rest of the day planned x

Carmen said...

p.s, I love the idea of the over body peg bag!

Glenda said...

Happy birthday girl! I love the gift; isn't it wonderful what some people can see in their minds! Glenda 93

Twiglet said...

Happy birthday Jan - have an amazing day. I always think a girl needs a new hare-do for her birthday. lol x Jo

Trish Latimer said...

Happy Birthday Jan!!! That hare is totally fabulous, love it!!!!

Unknown said...

Hi Jan Wishing you a fabulous day. Champagne and Cake sounds wonderful. No 1 on your birthday too - were you up celebrating early? Big Hugs from Helen 19

Debs Willis said...

Hippo birdie, 2 ewes :-)

Have a good one, don;t think I made it past 30 in my head, so live in the headspace!

Debs xx

JoZart Designs said...

Have a wonderful Hare raising day........ love your gift and want to know it's name??!! You must have been up late or up early making the most of your special day to be No1.
Hippy Burpday and now you are merely forty eleven or even thirty twenty one because you just can't possibly be 51 !!!
Love JoZarty x

Craftychris said...

Happy Birthday! Have a fabulous day. I love the hare its brilliant. I am 55 this month and I still feel years younger too - my husband is 13 years younger than me so that helps! xx #103

Unknown said...

Was just at Julia's Stamping Ground and wanted to wish you a very happy birthday! And your hare... WOW! That is really cool! And I'm 58 going on 28 (LOL!). Again, congrats!
Carol N # 107

Gabrielle said...

Happy, happy birthday! I hope the champagne is chilled and cake delish! x

Jaki Morris said...

Happy birthday to you! Coincidentally I have a birthday on a Wednesday this year and I was born on a Wednesday! My son's birthday was also on a Wednesday this year. Many reasons to love Wednesdays, or hump day as some call it!

I passed someone your way about making a tablet cover as, although she thinks I am the Queen of all things sewn, I know that you are!

HPBD
Jakix #112

mamapez5 said...

Have a wonderful day! You only get one 51st birthday, so enjoy it!
I just love your hare. How clever is that!
Kate#100

Victoria said...

Happy happy birthday! I love your hare - what a fabulous gift! and I saw on someone's blog that you'd been given some beading bits too so I hope you enjoy those. Have a wonderful day! Happy WOYWW! Victoria no.71

Shoshi said...

Hope you're having a lovely day Jan, as you celebrate your birthday. Mostly nice weather, and a couple of Golds at the Olympics to help you on your way lol!! Have fun with your beadiness. Look forward to seeing some nice results!

Thanks for your lovely comment - it's quite exciting how ordinary things can be transormed into something unrecognisable, isn't it. I'm planning on doing some blog posts on using up our old rubbish in our art - there's so much that we just chuck out, that could be used to make something beautiful, and give it a new lease of life.

Enjoy the rest of your day, and celebrate in style!

Shoshi #7

Mary Jo said...

Happy, happy birthday, Jan!
I hope it's a great one :)
Mary Jo #107

Princess Judy Palmer said...

Happy day to you! Love the yard metal art! I knew it was art and not that the old man had finally gone round the bend. The hare is brilliant. Some people are so creative and see animals and faces where the rest of us see junk. I love those swivel clips we had one that we used on the hamsters cage as she was such an escape artist. Later she learned to unclip the swivel clip so we put a tiny padlock on her door. We theorized that if we left the key in reach she'd be able to open the lock. I'm sure of it! Enjoy the champagne and cake and remember that birthday calories don't count!

SandeeNC said...

Happiest of Birthdays! I love the rusty hare, and if you love hares then you'd love my backyard, I have 5 at last count, which probably means I have at least 10 in hiding! lol waving hi from the hills of North Carolina :)

Erika said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jan I hope you are having a super day. Great desk as always with lots going on. Love your hare it's so unusual. Hope you get spoilt rotten, hugs Erika. #114

dix said...

Cheers! And Happy Birthday to YOU! Hope you have a fabulous day! Want to see those cute bags when they are finished! dix---

trisha too said...

A Happy Birthday to you!!! Enjoy your day, and the champagne and cake!

:)trisha #117 this week

CraftygasheadZo said...

Happy birthday to you! Enjoy and eat a piece of cake for me. That hare looks so rustic and wonderful. Great present. Take care Zo xx

Dotty Jo said...

Many happy returns to you! What a fabulous gift - I also love hares ever since seeing two 'boxing' in a field years ago. Hope your day is fabulous, Jo x

Monica said...

happy birthday, enjoy the bubbly and cake. #42

Helen said...

Hope you've had a lovely birthday. How about using those clips to make a peg bag which fits round your waist? Love the hare xx

Hugs EllieWee #84

Anne said...

Happy Birthday hope you've enjoyed your special day. Love the hare!!! Anne x

Lisa-Jane said...

I hope you have had a most wonderful day Jan, it sounds like it! Lucky haul with the lanyards there. Great idea about the peg bag with a strap.

Cardarian said...

I bet you never got so many comments as you did today birthday girl! Wishing you all the best! I hope you are still drinking champagne!!! Ha, ha...
Love and lots of hugs flying to you from SLOVENIA
Cardarian

dianneo said...

Happy, happy, happy birthday!

Unknown said...

Hope you show us the Peg Bags next week. Those clip thingies will be useful.
Happy WOYWW
Carol

Hettie said...

Happy Smurfday Lovely Lady! I will buy you a birthday cake on Saturday! Woo Hoo! Can't believe the day is nearly upon us!
Love your hare! The metal one!!! Hee Hee!
Hugs
xx

Michele's Scrapy Creations said...

Happy Birthday! love your desk! Michele #130

Amy E said...

Happy birthday LLJan!!!! I hope your day was FABULOUS and that all your birthday wishes came true!

Awesome rabbit! And I totally want to come shoot some of those little clips with you...that would be so much fun! I bet you could laugh at your cat chasing those for hours!

I'm having a giveaway, open worldwide this week. Come check it out if you get the chance!

Amy E. #30
scrapthissavethat.blogspot.com

Lisa Richards said...

That hare is FANTASTIC! Happy birthday!! I'm 55 and feel like 18 in my head. The body, not so young, lol! Have a great WOYWW! I didn't sign up this week. Getting over a summer cold bug and just didn't have the energy! :) Have a great week!

donnalouiserodgers said...

came back to say - that weirdness - well it kinda follows you around and sneaks up and grabs you sometimes - I realised recently that i have lived with Niall longer than me & my Mom had together (she died when I was 11) I STILL cannot shake the sadness of never knowing her...

a year is a very short time, and birthdays and motherhood have such special meaning, I cherish every moment of motherhood I have, and my boys are easily forgiven everything...if we mother well we are missed forever, tis a price our children pay....

dxxxx

Catie Cuddles said...

Happy happy birthday for yesterday!
Just stopping by on a late trawl of Woyww desk and loving the fabrics for the peg bags and loving the idea of a pegbag you wear ... Will store that thought for another days creativity!
Thanks for sharing even on your birthday!
Catherine xxx
137

Ohhh Snap said...

Happy belated Birthday AND WOYWW :D. LOVE your hare! I've found years and half decades fly now that I'm 55 lol. Your peg bags sound very practical and the fabric is lovely, so it can't get much better than that. Lovely treasures you have. Good the cats have something to do too lol. #23

fairy thoughts said...

I hope you had a great birthday, love your pressie, it will only improve with age too, just like women he he.
running lat ethis week
janet #56

Sarn said...

Oh Belated HAPPY BIRTHDAY wishes going your way Jan. Looks like you had a great day.

Hugs
Sarn xxx

Kezzy said...

Belated happy birthday wishes coming your way, trust me to be late and not get to see you on your day. Wow that Hare out of scrap is totally amazing, such a beautiful unique piece. Loving those fabrics they are lush, I have found myself doing lots of ooooo's and ahhhh's over fabric and becoming quite addicted to it all, but of course these are only to be used on cards and canvas, my eyes shade over at any thought of actually trying to create a sewn piece, I have just done a fabric hanging on Sundays post, and I say my sqiggly sewn lines are art, and meant to be like that, but actually I can't get any straighter then that lol. I really need to read that book, there are so many Mr Grey's comments lol, I am a James Patterson fan, but I'm sure a bit of spice would make a good read lol. Great getting all those freebies, can't wait to see what you use them for :-) Happy woyww Kerry xxx

WOYWW 769

 WE'LL MEET AGAIN.... I'm going to take a break from blogging for a while - please don't worry, all is ok! - think I just need a...